The Bandra police in Bombay registered an FIR against three persons for allegedly misusing the Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival trademark and deceptively presenting it as a government event. The organisers got sponsorships from established companies and even state governments since 2016 whilst using counterfeit letters and photographs from high-ranking government officials to promote the unauthorised festival.
The accused persons also portrayed the fete as a government awards function and forced film people to participate.
On February 5, 2025, charges were filed against Anil Mishra, his son, Abhishek Mishra, and an unnamed person under sections 318(4) and 319(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The case was registered on a complaint by Sameer Dixit, state president of the BJP Film Union. The complainant is 57 and is a film distributor based in Thane West.